Stand for supporting a display in multiple orientations and a display used in combination with said stand

ABSTRACT

An adjustable stand for rotatably and releaseably supporting a flat panel display is disclosed together with a display device usable with the stand. The display includes a boss projecting from a rear surface thereof, which boss is received in an arc-shaped channel in a plate portion of the stand. The stand further includes two hingedly connected legs and selective locking devices for controlling the angle between the legs, thereby allowing the stand hold the display in a variety of orientations with respect to a horizontal support surface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is directed toward a stand for supporting adisplay and a display used in combination with the stand, and morespecifically, to a pen-enabled computer display (“PED”) having a screenand a stand for mounting the PED in a first orientation for using thePED primarily as a display and in a second orientation for using the PEDprimarily as a tablet, in a manner that also allows the PED to beremoved from the stand for lap-top use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Flat panel displays, which may comprise, for example, liquidcrystal displays (“LCD's”), are becoming increasingly common and areoften used as monitors for personal computers, replacing the bulkycathode ray tube (“CRT”) monitors that have heretofore been used. Whenused for this purpose, the displays are normally rectangular and aremounted on a user's desk in front of a keyboard with the long dimensionof the rectangular panel oriented horizontally in what is commonlyreferred to as “landscape” orientation. Flat panel displays are thinnerand lighter than CRT's and thus take up far less space on a desktop orworkspace. Their light weight also allows them to be positioned moreeasily than CRT's, and supports are known that allow such flat paneldisplays to be tilted or to be rotated between a landscape orientationand a portrait orientation wherein the longer dimension of the screen isvertical. An example of a tiltable display is shown in U.S. Pat. No.5,812,368, and an example of a rotatable displays is shown in U.S. Pat.No. 6,189,850.

[0003] Flat panels displays are also used in PED's where they areintegrated with a digitizing tablet using, for example, electromagneticresonance technology and a pen-like input device. A PED allows acomputer user to move a screen cursor, click on icons, draw in anapplication, or otherwise interact with a computer operating system orits resident applications by means of a pen that is moved to theappropriate location on the screen. The screen cursor follows thelocation of the pen, and pressing the tip switch of the pen to thedisplay or pressing a switch on the pen causes a desired action tooccur. The location of the pen on or above the display screen may bedetermined by a number of different technologies, such aselectromagnetic resonance (as in tablets made by Wacom TechnologyCompany), resistive, capacitive or other touch-sensitive films, andother sensing technologies that are well known in the art. PED's may beconnected to a separate computer unit through a wired or wirelessconnection, or may be integrated with a computer as in so-called TabletPC's or hand-held Palm brand electronic organizers. When the digitizingtablet in the PED is able to detect the amount of force with which thepen is pressed against the surface of the display (e.g. by means of atip pressure sensor in the pen, or if the touch-sensitive film is ableto detect the amount of pressure applied to it with the pen tip),varying the pressure applied with the pen can affect the appearance ofthe image created on the screen, allowing the user to work with the PEDin much the same way he works with pen and paper.

[0004] One example of a PED is available from Wacom Technology Companyunder the brand name “Cintiq 15X.” This device includes a screen mountedin a housing and a leg projecting from the housing rear that allows thescreen to be inclined at a small angle when the PED is used for drawingor at a larger angle when the device is used primarily as a display.However, the leg is not removable, making the device difficult tosupport on one's lap, and does not permit the screen and housing to berotated.

[0005] For greater comfort while drawing, and to facilitate accuratecurves and pencil strokes, traditional artists and animators working onpaper often rotate the paper, adjust its incline on a stand, or hold iton their lap. Such users may also wish to use a PED in a similar manneror to rest the lower edge of the PED in their lap and the back sideagainst a desk or table. Stands are known that allow a flat paneldisplay to be rotated or tilted, but these stands usually supportdisplays at some distance above a surface so that they can be viewed asa monitor and cannot readily be disconnected from a display to allow thedisplay to be used apart from the stand. And, while such supports aregenerally adequate for supporting a flat screen in a generally verticaldisplay orientation or in a relatively horizontal drawing mode, they donot allow a display to be removed for lap use. It would therefore bedesirable to provide a stand for a display that accomplishes theseobjectives and that also allows the display to be rotated betweenlandscape and portrait orientations and to be readily detached so thatthe display device can be used as a tablet on a person's lap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] These difficulties are addressed by the present invention whichcomprises a stand for supporting a display or PED at various angles ofinclination with respect to a horizontal support surface, including afirst range of small angles so that the PED can be used primarily as atablet and a second range of larger angles so that the PED can serveprimarily as a display. Moreover, the stand supports the PED so that itcan be rotated 180 degrees or more in either direction from a startingpoint and so that it can be removed quickly and easily when a userwishes to use the PED or other display apart from the stand.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a display witha housing having a display screen, a boss extending from the side of thehousing opposite the display screen, and a stand having a plate with acurved channel for receiving the boss and rotatably and removablysupporting the display. The boss is provided with a flange on its freeend, which flange is spaced away from the display housing by a distancegreater than the width of the channel so that the flange prevents theboss from being pulled through the channel when the display is mountedin the stand. The plate is supported by two legs, one of which may beformed integrally with the plate, and the legs are hingedly connected bya lockable hinge. Each leg terminates in a pair of feet which supportthe stand and the display on a support surface. Handles or levers extendfrom either side of the stand to actuate the locking mechanisms of thelocking hinge, which mechanisms preferably includes two oppositelymounted spring clutches. One of the levers releases the first springclutch to allow the angle between the legs to be increased while theother releases a second spring clutch to allow the angle between thelegs to be decreased. Balance springs are also provided to support theweight of the display and stand together and to prevent the stand fromfalling into its fully open position each time the first lever isactuated. Using these handles, the angle between the legs can beadjusted from between about 130 and 180 degrees, preferably about 140degrees, which angle allows the display to lie flat or nearly flat on asupport surface to between about 20 and 60 degrees, preferably about 45degrees, in which configuration the stand can be used to support thedevice for use as a display. The boss on the display housing restssecurely in the channel in the stand and the flange prevents the displayfrom being removed from the channel in a direction normal to the screenon the display.

[0008] The boss is generally round, but may have one pair of parallelside edges connected by curved end sections as will be explained in moredetail, and the channel preferably comprises an arc of more than 180degrees with two ends separated by a first distance less than the longdimension of the boss and shorter than the distance between the two flatsides of the boss. This arrangement allows the boss to be placed in thestand in one orientation only; when the boss is rotated from thisposition, the long dimension of the boss cannot be removed through thechannel and the display is locked in the stand. However, the display canbe lifted out of the channel with little effort when it is returned toits initial orientation when one desires to use the display without thestand. Alternately, a plain circular boss could be used, but such a bosswould not lock in the channel as described above. As the boss projectsonly a small distance from the rear of the display housing, it will notinterfere with the use of the display in a user's lap.

[0009] In a second embodiment of the invention, the stand includes aboss projecting therefrom and having an end flange and a T-shaped crosssection. The display includes an opening having a narrow outer portionand an wide inner portion. The flange or cross piece on the boss isreceived in the wide inner portion of the opening behind the narrowportion of the opening to hold the boss in place and permit rotationbetween the display and the support. The display can be held in variousorientations to the stand by either the friction between the displayhousing and the stand (e.g. with a felt pad on the stand), or a frictionfit between the boss and opening.

[0010] In a third embodiment of the invention, the stand includes acradle rotatably affixed thereto into which a display can be placed.Preferably the cradle also includes at least one projecting peg thatfits into a corresponding hole on the back of the display to help keepthe display from sliding relative to the cradle even when the cradle isrotated. A friction fit between the cradle and the stand allows thecradle to be retained in any orientation, although other selectivelocking mechanisms could also be used.

[0011] In a fourth embodiment of the invention, a display is providedthat includes a rotating bearing mounted on a rear surface thereof. Therotatable bearing is mountable to fixed supports such as pegs projectingfrom a support stand and held securely thereto by those pegs therebyallowing the display to rotate relative to the bearing and the stand.

[0012] It is therefore a principal object of the present invention toprovide a stand for supporting a display in a variety of differentorientations.

[0013] It is another object of the invention to provide a flat paneldisplay that can be used alone or mounted in an adjustable stand.

[0014] It is a further object of the invention to provide a stand forrotatably supporting a flat panel display in a manner that allows forthe quick and easy removal of the display from the stand.

[0015] It is still another object of the invention to provide a standhaving a flat front surface for supporting a display that can beselectively locked to hold the flat front surface at a number ofdifferent inclination angles with respect to an essentially horizontaldesktop surface.

[0016] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a stand thatcan be positioned in a first orientation for allowing a device mountedthereon to be used as a tablet and in a second orientation for allowinga device mounted thereon to be used as a display, and allowing thedevice, in either orientation, to be rotated.

[0017] It is still a further object of the invention to provide anadjustable stand having a bearing for rotatably supporting a display.

[0018] It is yet a further object of the invention to provide anadjustable stand including a rotatable cradle for releaseably androtatably securing a display to the stand.

[0019] In furtherance of these objects, a display stand is provided forrotatably supporting an object having a rear surface and a bossextending from the rear surface which stand comprises a front membercomprising a C-shaped plate member having a convex first end and aconcave second end and a first generally T-shaped support depending fromthe first end and a second member comprising a generally T-shapedsupport connected to the first member by a hinge.

[0020] A combination of a display and a stand for the display is alsoprovided wherein the display comprises a housing having a bossprojecting therefrom and the stand comprises first and second hingedlyconnected supports and also has a channel in which the boss is removablyand rotatably received. The first and second supports are selectivelylockable in at least two positions.

[0021] Also provided is a combination of a digitizer having a displayscreen and a stand for supporting the digitizer on a surface where thedigitizer includes a housing having a boss and the stand comprises firstand second hingedly connected supports and a channel in which the bossis removably and rotatably received. The first and second supports areselectively lockable in a first position for holding the digitizer at afirst angle and a second position for holding the digitizer at a secondangle.

[0022] A further aspect of the invention comprises a method of mountinga PED on a stand comprising the steps of providing a PED including ahousing having a boss projecting therefrom and a stand comprising firstand second hingedly connected supports lockable in at least a firstposition and a second position, the first support including a channel,and first and second walls extending from the channel and angled towardone another. The boss of the PED is slid into the channel and then thefirst and second supports are placed in either the first or secondposition.

[0023] Another aspect of the invention comprises a PED adapted to besupported by a user's lap or mounted in a stand in a first position foruse as a writing tablet or in a second position for use as a display.This PED includes a housing, a display screen mounted in the housing anda boss projecting from a first side of the housing, where the boss has aflange dimensioned to support the weight of the digitizer when the PEDis mounted in a stand.

[0024] Also provided is a combination of a display and a support standfor adjustably supporting the display, where the display comprises ahousing having a front and a rear and a screen mounted on the housingfront. A boss projects from the housing rear and including a centerlinenormal to the display and a generally circular cross section normal tothe centerline, a first end adjacent the housing and a second end spacedfrom the housing and having a flange. The stand includes a plate memberhaving a thickness, a bearing surface comprising agreater-than-180-degree arc of a circle located in the plate member andhaving first and second ends and first and second walls extending fromthe first and second ends. The bearing surface receives the boss andremovably and rotatably supports the display for rotation between aportrait orientation and a landscape orientation. The stand alsoincludes a first leg comprising the plate member and a second legconnected to the first leg by a selectively lockable hinge including aspring clutch and a balance spring. The first leg lies generally in afirst plane and the second leg lies generally in a second plane and thefirst and second legs are shiftable between a first position wherein thefirst leg and the second leg meet at an obtuse angle and a secondposition wherein the first leg and the second leg meet at an acuteangle. Furthermore, the first and second legs each include a free endspaced from the hinge. The display and stand together have a center ofgravity above and between the free ends when the display is supported onthe stand, and the stand includes at least one lever for shifting thespring clutch between an engaged position and a disengaged position.

[0025] Also provided is a combination of a display and a support standfor adjustably supporting the display where the display comprises ahousing having a front and a rear and a screen mounted on the housingfront. One of the housing and the stand includes a bearing member andthe other includes a receiver, the receiver removably and rotatablyreceiving the bearing member and supporting the housing.

[0026] A further aspect of the invention comprises a stand for rotatablyand releaseably supporting a display comprising a base and a supportmechanism for rotatably supporting and releaseably securing a display onthe base.

[0027] Another aspect of the invention comprises a combination of adisplay and a stand for adjustably holding the display where the displayhas a housing with a front and a rear and a screen mounted on thehousing front. A rotatable bearing member is mounted on either thedisplay or the stand and a support is mounted on the other one of thedisplay and the stand for removably supporting the bearing member andthe housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] These and other objects and advantages of the invention will bebetter understood after a reading and understanding of the detaileddescription of the invention that follows together with the followingdrawings.

[0029]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a support stand according tothe present invention including a front leg and a rear leg connected bya hinge.

[0030]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the support stand of FIG. 1.

[0031]FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the front leg of the supportstand of FIG. 1.

[0032]FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the rear leg of the supportstand of FIG. 1.

[0033]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a hinge mechanism for use with thestand of FIG. 1 which hinge includes two spring clutches and two balancesprings.

[0034]FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the hinge mechanism of FIG.5.

[0035]FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the stand of FIG. 1.

[0036]FIG. 8 is a sectional elevational view of a portion of the hingemechanism of FIG. 5.

[0037]FIG. 9 is a sectional side elevational view of the stand of FIG. 1positioned for supporting a display in a first orientation.

[0038]FIG. 10 is a sectional side elevational view of the stand of FIG.1 positioned for supporting a display in a second orientation.

[0039]FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a display usable with thestand of FIG. 1.

[0040]FIG. 12 is a partially exploded view of the rear of the display ofFIG. 11 and a boss for connecting the display to the stand.

[0041]FIG. 13 is a sectional side elevational view of the display ofFIG. 12.

[0042]FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the display of FIG. 11 andthe stand of FIG. 1.

[0043]FIG. 15 is a sectional side elevational view of the display ofFIG. 11 mounted in the stand of FIG. 1.

[0044]FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a display and support standaccording to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0045]FIG. 17 is an exploded sectional side elevational view of thedisplay and stand of FIG. 16.

[0046]FIG. 18 is a section side elevational view of the display andstand of FIG. 16.

[0047]FIG. 19 is an exploded view of a display and support standaccording to a third embodiment of the invention.

[0048]FIG. 20 is an exploded sectional side elevational view of thedisplay and stand of FIG. 19.

[0049]FIG. 21 is a section side elevational view of the display andstand of FIG. 19.

[0050]FIG. 22 is an exploded view of a display and support standaccording to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0051]FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view of the display of FIG. 22showing a support bearing on the housing.

[0052]FIG. 24 is an exploded sectional side elevational view of thedisplay and stand of FIG. 22.

[0053]FIG. 25 is a section side elevational view of the display andstand of FIG. 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0054] Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are forpurposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention onlyand not for the purpose of limiting same, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a stand 10including a front leg 12 and a rear leg 14, front leg 12 comprising anouter side 16, an inner side 18, and a sidewall 20 that defines theperiphery of inner side 18. As used herein, the inner side of a leg isthe part that faces toward the other leg when the device is assembled.The front and rear legs are preferably formed from aluminum or anotherlight-weight metal, but other materials, such as various thermoplasticscould also be used. Front side 12 includes a C-shaped upper plateportion 22 having a curved outer peripheral portion 24, linearperipheral portions 26 extending inwardly from the outer peripheralportion, and a channel 28 connecting the linear peripheral portions 26,and an integrally formed, generally T-shaped foot portion 30 having astem 32 connected to the outer peripheral portion 24 and a curved base34 with terminal foot portions 36 covered with a non-slip material 38such as rubber. A rotation limiting stop 39 is located at the midpointof channel 28. The portion of sidewall 20 adjacent channel 28 forms abearing surface 40. Linear peripheral portions 26 angle inwardly towardchannel 28 and also in the direction of base 30. Outer side 16 is alsoprovided with an arc-shaped length of felt 44 spaced inwardly from andgenerally corresponding to the curvature of curved peripheral portion 24which felt provides a smooth surface for a display mounted on the standto rotate against. Of course, the felt does not have to be arranged inan arc, and other arrangements would also provide for smooth movement ofthe PED over the front side of the stand.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 3, inner side 18 includes a plurality of bosseseach including an opening for receiving bolts, screws or other fastenersthat will be described in detail hereinafter. These bosses include,moving inwardly from the peripheral edge of the inner side, first andsecond bearing support bosses 46, first and second clutch springattachment bosses 48 located inwardly from the bearing support bossesand at different distances from foot 30, and first and second pairs oflever support bosses 50. First and second planar projections 52 havingarcuate outer faces 54 are mounted adjacent clutch spring support bosses48, a pair of opening limiting stops 56 is disposed generally betweenthe planar projections 52 and a closing limiting stop 58 is also presentwhich projects outwardly a greater distance than the previously listedprojections and terminates in a surface 60 angled at about 20 degreeswith respect to inner side 18. In addition, two balance springattachment openings 61 are integrated in the curved middle wall thatcompletes the arc of 24 from the right and left.

[0056] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, rear leg 14 is generallyT-shaped and includes a body portion 62 and a curved base 64 terminatingin a pair of foot portions 66, which body, base and foot portions aregenerally similar to T-shaped foot 30 of front leg 12. Low friction footcoverings 68 are attached to each foot, which coverings are preferablymade from felt. Rear leg 18 includes an outer side 70, an inner side 72and a sidewall 74 extending from the periphery of inner side 72. The topportion 76 of outer side 70 is curved or rounded over, and the sidewallsnear top portion 76 includes a pair of C-shaped notches 78. A plate 80extends from inner side 72 between the sidewalls and includes a C-shapednotch 82 aligned with C-shaped notches 78 and a projection 84 forcooperating with closing limiting stop 58 on front leg 12 when the standis assembled. Top portion 76 further includes first and second notches85 for cooperating with opening limiting stops 56 on front leg 12 whenstand is assembled, while balance spring attachment openings 86 areprovided adjacent C-shaped notches 78 and hinge attachment openings 88beneath top portion 76. A peg-like protrusion 89 on the C-shaped notch82 is helpful for the assembly and pre-preloading of the balancesprings.

[0057]FIGS. 5 and 6 show a hinge mechanism 90 comprising a cylindricalrod 92 having a central portion 94 with a plurality of bores 96extending across the diameter of the rod and end portions 98 separatedfrom central portion 94 by shallow grooves 99. Two balance springs 100are mounted on the central portion of the rod, each of the springsincluding a rear leg end 102 and a front leg end 104 and, furthermore,first and second lock springs 106 are mounted on the end portions 98.The inner diameter of the coiled lock springs is about equal to theouter diameter of the end portions 98 which allows for an interferencefit between the lock springs and the rods. Each lock spring 106 includesa hooked fixed end 108 and a free end 110 angled at 90 degrees to thesurface of the coil spring. The lock springs 106 are mounted on thesleeve with their free ends 110 closer to the ends of the rod 92 thanthe fixed hooked ends. A lock spring sleeve 112 including a projectingflange 114 having eighteen edge notches 116 spaced about the peripherythereof at 20 degree intervals is also provided. The outer surface ofthe lock spring sleeve is provided with four projections 118, three ofwhich are spaced at 95 degree intervals from the respective previousone. The lock spring sleeve fits over the lock spring with a slightinterference fit.

[0058] The assembly of stand 10 will now be described with particularreference to FIG. 7. Balance springs 100 are placed over central portion94 of rod 92 so that they are located between bores 96, and lock springs106 are thereafter slid over end portions 98 of the rod. The locksprings are helical torsion springs, and the diameter of the spring coilcan be increased by pulling the ends of the spring apart in an uncoilingdirection and decreased by pressing the ends together in a coilingdirection. To fit the lock springs on the rod, the ends are pulled apartso the spring will be large enough to fit over the rod, the spring isslid over the end of the rod and the ends are then released to provide afriction fit between the spring and rod. Lock spring sleeves 112 areslid over the lock springs so that free end 110 of the spring isreceived in one of the eighteen notches in the sleeve flange 114.Projections 118 will be acted upon by a pawl to be describedhereinafter.

[0059] The combination of and the angular relationship between thenotches and the projections allow the angular relationship between thepawl and the free end 110 of the spring to be set in increments of 5degrees. Thus, for example, if a first one of the projections is alignedwith one of the edge notches, the end of the lock spring can be placedin that notch and be offset from the projection by 0 degrees, or intoadjacent notches and be offset by 20 degrees, 40 degrees, etc. Anadjacent one of the projections will be offset from an adjacent notch by5 degrees, and therefore, the offset between the projection and the freeend of the spring placed into that notch will be 5 degrees, or if placedinto adjacent notches, be offset by 25 degrees, 45 degrees, etc,depending on which of the notches is used. The placement of the lockspring sleeve will depend on the exact relative position of the legs ofthe lock spring used, and, because the sleeve slides on and off the lockspring, it can easily be adjusted later in the assembly process toensure a proper relation between the actuating levers and the spring.

[0060] Next, hinge 92 is place onto support surfaces of 52 and the frontlegs 104 of the balance springs 100 are threaded into the balance springsupport openings 61 in the back of front leg 12. The rounded legs 108 ofthe locking springs 106 are attached to bosses 48 with appropriatescrews. At this point, the relationship between the short leg 110 of thelocking springs 106 and the rear surface 18 can be determined, and basedon the required relationship between the rear surface 18 and theprojections 118, the lock sleeve can be adjusted as necessary to leavethe projections in the proper position relative to the rear surface 18and the pawl 138 that will be acting on them.

[0061] Next, first and second handles 132, having planar end portions134, bearing tabs 135, C-shaped channels 136 each including a pawl 138and planar connecting portions 140 are attached to lever support bosses50 with suitable fasteners 142. Resilient grommets 143 are providedbetween fasteners 142 and connecting portions 140 to facilitate abearing that allows the handle 132 to move forward and backward, and tohelp return the handles to their rest positions after they are operatedand then released. During the attachment process, care must be taken toalign each one of the pawls 138 with one of the projections 118 on oneof the lock sleeves 112, as shown in FIG. 8, so that the movement of oneof the levers will rotate sleeve 112 by a few degrees in an uncoilingdirection to slightly uncoil the lock spring. One of pawls 138 ismounted so that it will overlie a first side of the first lock springsleeve 112, the top side, for example, while the other is arranged sothat it will engage against the opposite side of the other lock springsleeve, the bottom for example. In this manner, a pull on one of thelevers will rotate the first lock spring sleeve in a first directionwhile a pull on the other lever in the same direction will rotate theother lock spring sleeve in the opposite direction. Because the springsare mounted with their free ends facing outwardly along the rod, theuncoiling directions of the springs are opposite.

[0062] Slide bearings 124 including bearing slots 126 are mounted ontosupport bearings 122, which are then connected to inner side 18 via thebosses 46. When properly aligned, the slide bearings secure the hinge 92in its proper location, and bearing tabs 135 will fit within bearingslots 126 so that handles 132 move linearly toward and away from thefront leg of the stand when they are pulled.

[0063] To attach the leg 14, the rear legs 102 of the balance springs100 are threaded into the balance spring openings 86, the C-shapedsurfaces 78 and 82 are rested against hinge 92 such that the protrusion89 aligns with the middle hole in 92, and then the leg is turned to the“open” position of the stand (against the action of the balance springs,see FIG. 10). In this position, appropriate fasteners 120 can beinserted through the bores in hinge 92 and fastened into the bosses 88of leg 14.

[0064] One end of each lock spring 106 is attached to the front leg 12of the stand and, because rod 92 is attached to rear leg 14, moving therear leg rotates the rod within the lock springs 106. However, due tothe close fit between rod 92 and lock spring 106, rotating the rod willtend to either coil or uncoil the springs on the rod, depending on theorientation of the springs. Because the springs are oppositely mounted,rotating the rod will tend to coil one of the springs and uncoil theother. When the rod rotates even slightly in the coiling direction, oneof the springs coils more tightly around the rod and prevents furthermovement of the rod within the spring. When the rod moves in the otherdirection, the spring is slightly uncoiled by the rotating rod and doesnot interfere with rod movement. Because the two lock springs areoppositely mounted, substantially all movement of the rod within thesprings, and therefore substantially all movement between the front legand the rear leg, is prevented. However, the handles or levers 132 areprovided to selectively rotate the spring sleeves in the uncoilingdirection of each spring. Therefore, to move the stand legs apart, onelever is pressed to uncoil the lock spring that resists movement in theopening direction. While held in this released position, the stand legscan be moved apart, but not moved toward one another. The presence ofthe balancing springs provide some resistance to such opening movementand prevent the legs from falling immediately to the fully open positionunder the weight of the stand and any display supported thereon. Whenthe rear leg reaches its desired position, the lever is released to lockthe legs in position. The other lever is used to release the second lockspring when a user desires to decrease the spacing between the legs.

[0065]FIG. 9 shows stand 10 with legs 12 and 14 angled at an acute angleof about 45 degrees. As will be appreciated from this figure, in thisposition, closing limiting stop 58 on the inner surface of front leg 12engages against projection 84 on the inner face of rear leg 14 toprevent the angle between the legs from becoming any smaller. Of course,if desired, the lengths of closing limiting stop and projection 84 couldbe adjusted to provide for greater or lesser angles between the legs.

[0066]FIG. 10 shows legs 12 and 14 in a fully open position at an obtuseangle of about 140 degrees. In this position, the first and secondnotches 85 of rear leg 14 engage open limiting stop 56 on the rear offront leg 12 to prevent the stand from being opened to a greater angle.Of course, the size and/or placement of the open limiting stop could bevaried if a greater or lesser maximum opening angle is desired.

[0067] FIGS. 11-13 show the display 144 used with stand 10 which displayincludes a housing 146, a screen 148 on the front of the housing, and ahousing rear 150 having a centrally located depression 152 whereat aboss 154 is attached to the housing to allow the housing to be used withstand 10. Boss 154 comprises a first element 156 that includes a notch158 for retaining a projecting stop 160 and a second element 162 that,when attached to depression 152 adjacent first element 156 forms boss154 with a flange 164, first and second curved end walls 166 and firstand second generally parallel sidewalls 168. A strain relief element170, which is normally part of the cord attached to the display, passesthrough the opening between the boss elements. To attach the boss to thehousing, parts 156 and 162 are aligned with each other such that theyclose around the strain relief, stop 160 is placed into the properposition, and then the combined 156 and 162 are pressed into thedepression 152 and secured with screws.

[0068] In use, display 144 is placed into stand 10 by aligning boss 154with channel 28 and lowering the boss into the channel as shown in FIG.15. Linear peripheral wall portions 26 guide boss 154 into properposition allowing a user to mount the display on the stand withoutlooking behind the display at the boss. The width of channel 28 isgreater than the spacing between the straight side walls of boss 154,and thus the boss fits easily within the channel in this orientation.Importantly, the display is placed in the channel with stop 160 facingupwardly, away from the bottom of the channel. Flange 164 prevents boss154 from being pulled out of channel 28 in a direction normal to screen128. And, because the separation between the curved ends 166 of the bossis greater than the width of the top opening into channel 28, the bossis locked in place when it is rotated from the landscape orientation.Stop 160 on boss 154 engages stop 39 in channel 28 when the display hasbeen rotated approximately 180 degrees in either direction. The displaycould be used without stop 39, but rotating the display by more than 180degrees could tangle or damage a cord extending therefrom. The stop isnot necessary if the stand is always used with a cordless display. Thehard plastic material chosen for the boss 154 in combination with thehard metal bearing surface 40 allows for smooth sliding movement of theboss in the channel while felt layer 44 on the outer side 16 of thefront leg also helps the rear of the display housing to slide smoothlyover the outer side 16 of the stand as the display is rotated.

[0069]FIG. 14 shows pegs 172 that can be placed in appropriate openingsin the rear of housing 122 if a user desires to lock the display ineither a portrait or landscape orientation. Once the display is inposition, the user can change the orientation of the display by rotatingit about the axis of boss 154 as necessary. The inclination of thedisplay screen can be adjusted by manipulating levers 132 to release oneor the other of lock springs 106 as discussed above and position thestand at either of the extreme positions show in FIGS. 9 or 10 or at anyangular position therebetween. To remove the display from the stand, itis merely necessary to return the display to the landscape orientationand lift it from channel 28.

[0070] A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 16-18.This embodiment uses the same lockable legs as the first embodiment butprovides an alternate arrangement for rotatably attaching the display tothe stand. Stand 200 of this embodiment comprises a planar front side202 that includes a notch 204 having bottom portion 206 comprising asegment of a circular arc. An arc-shaped wall 208 corresponding to thearc of portion 206 projects outwardly from portion 206 and terminates ina flange 210. While front side 202 is shown as having a shape generallylike a section of a truncated cone, it could have other shapes, such asthe C-shape of the front plate of the first embodiment, withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, as long as an arc-shapedrecess similar to that of the first or second embodiments is provided.Stand 200 is used with a display 212 that includes a rear wall 214having an opening 216 which opens into a chamber 218 having a widthgreater than the width of opening 216. If the display is a cordeddisplay, a cord (not shown) will project outwardly from this opening.Alternately, chamber 218 could be viewed as including an inwardlyprojecting flange 220, which flange is the portion of rear wall 214surrounding opening 216. To place display 212 on the stand, opening 216is aligned with boss 204 and placed over the boss so that flange 206 ofthe boss is received in chamber 218 behind flange 220. Notch 204 allowsa cord from the display to pass outwardly behind the stand.

[0071] In use, opening 216 of the display is positioned over arc shapedwall 208 and the flange 210 of the arc-shaped wall is placed intochamber 218 behind flange 220. The flange 210 engages behind flange 220of chamber 218. The display maintains any orientation with respect tothe stand through either a friction fit between the flange and chamber,or the friction between the front of the stand and the display housing(possibly using a felt pad as in the first embodiment). FIGS. 16-18 showa simplified stand arrangement comprising front wall 202 and a supportleg. However, it should be understood that the mounting arrangementcould just as easily be used on a support stand with two lockable legsas described in the first embodiment.

[0072] A third embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 19-21. Inthis embodiment, a stand 300 comprises a planar front wall 302, having anotch 304 with an arc-shaped end portion 306. A cradle 308 having aC-shaped bearing member 310 projecting from one side thereof is attachedto front wall 302 with bearing member 310 engaged in end portion 306 ofthe notch. Cradle 308 includes a hooked lower portion 312 and two pegs314 projecting from the edge of the cradle opposite hooked lower portion312. A display 316 is used with this stand which display includes ahousing 318 having a rear wall 320 which includes first and second holes322. In use, a lower end of display 306 is placed into hooked lowerportion 312 of cradle 308 and leaned back against the cradle until pegs314 enter holes 322. This arrangement keeps the display firmly mountedin the cradle while the cradle is rotated with respect to the stand. Afriction fit between the cradle bearing member 310 and arc-shaped endportion 306 allow the cradle to be held in various orientations relativeto the stand. The cradle can be held in various orientation relative tothe stand by either a friction fit between the cradle bearing member 310and arc-shaped end portion 306, or by a friction device (e.g. felt pad)between the front of the stand platform 302 and the back of the rotatingcradle 308, or similar means. Notch 304 allows the stand to be used witha corded display. While a simplified support structure for the stand isshown in these figures, the cradle and mounting arrangement could alsoeasily be used with an adjustable stand such as the one described abovein the first embodiment.

[0073] A fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 22-25wherein a display 400 including a housing 402 having a rear surface 404is provided with a rotatable bearing 406 on rear surface 404. Bearing406 is centrally located on housing rear and includes a central opening408 to accommodate a cable 410 emerging from the display so that bearing406 can rotate around the cable without twisting or damaging the cable.Bearing 406 further includes two openings 412 which each of whichpreferably includes a pair of converging wall portions 414 meeting at avertex 415. As best seen in FIG. 24, openings 412 each open into aninterior chamber 416 that is wider than opening 412 thus forming a lipor flange 418 around each opening.

[0074] Display 400 is used with a stand 420 comprising a planar frontside 422 having a V-shaped notch 424 and first and second projections426 located one on either side of notch 424. Each projection includes arod portion 428 and an end flange 430, and these projections aresecurely fastened to or integrally formed with the stand. The planarfront side can be supported in any manner, for example, using a fixedleg or using the adjustable legs described above in the firstembodiment.

[0075] In use, the display is mounted on the stand by aligning openings412 with projections 426 and inserting projections 426 into openings412. The openings are larger than end flanges 430 so small errors inalignment are tolerated. Converging wall portions 414 direct theprojections toward vertex 415 where they are securely supported. Flanges430 on the projections are received in chamber 416 behind lip 418 of thedisplay and preventing the projections from being pulled out of theopenings in a direction normal to the housing rear. Supported in thismanner, bearing 406 remains essentially fixed with respect to stand 420while the housing 402 rotates with respect to bearing 406. Bearing 406may include a locking mechanism for holding the display in a desiredorientation with respect to the stand or a friction fit between thebearing and the housing may allow the display to stay in a givenorientation relative to the bearing until a sufficient force is appliedto change the relative orientations.

[0076] The present invention has been described in terms of severalpreferred embodiments, it being understood that changes and additions tothese embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art upona reading of the foregoing description. For example, while the stand ofthe present invention has been described as having legs positioned suchthat each has a free terminal end that engages against a surface tosupport a display, legs could also be used in other orientations, suchas with one lying flat on a surface with the other projecting away fromthe surface without departing from the scope of the invention. And,while a stand with two legs has been described, the stand could just aseasily have three or more legs if this were desirable for reasons suchas the nature of the environment in which the stand is to be used. It isintended that all such obvious modifications and additions form a partof this invention to the extent that they are included within the scopeof the several claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. In combination, a display and a support stand foradjustably supporting said display, said display comprising a housinghaving a front and a rear, a screen mounted on said housing front and aboss projecting from said housing rear; and said stand having a bearingsurface for receiving said boss and removably and rotatably supportingsaid display.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said boss isdetachably secured to said housing.
 3. The combination of claim 1wherein said boss includes a centerline normal to said display and agenerally circular cross section normal to said centerline.
 4. Thecombination of claim 3 wherein said boss includes a first end adjacentsaid housing and a second end spaced from said housing, said second endincluding a flange.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said bearingsurface comprises an arc of a circle.
 6. The combination of claim 5wherein said arc is greater than 180 degrees.
 7. The combination ofclaim 4 wherein said stand comprises a plate member having a thickness,said bearing surface is located in said plate member, and said flange isspaced from said housing by a distance substantially equal to said platethickness.
 8. The combination of claim 6 wherein said circular arc hasfirst and second ends spaced apart by a first distance and said boss hasa minor axis shorter than said first distance and a major axis longerthan said first distance.
 9. The combination of claim 7 wherein saidbearing surface has first and second ends and said plate member includesfirst and second walls extending from said first and second ends. 10.The combination of claim 1 wherein said boss is centrally located on thehousing rear.
 11. The combination of claim 1 wherein said housing isrotatable on said stand between a portrait orientation and a landscapeorientation.
 12. The combination of claim 1 including a stop forlimiting the rotation of said display with respect to said stand. 13.The combination of claim 11 including at least one stop for selectivelyholding said housing in either said portrait or said landscapeorientation.
 14. The combination of claim 1 wherein said stand comprisesfirst and second hingedly connected legs.
 15. The combination of claim 1wherein said stand comprises first and second legs connected by a hinge.16. The combination of claim 15 wherein said hinge is selectivelylockable in at least two positions.
 17. The combination of claim 15wherein said hinge comprises at least one spring clutch.
 18. Thecombination of claim 15 wherein said hinge comprises a balance spring.19. The combination of claim 18 wherein said first leg lies generally ina first plane, said second leg lies generally in a second plane andwherein said hinge is shiftable between a first position wherein saidfirst leg and said second leg meet at an obtuse angle and a secondposition wherein said first leg and said second leg meet at an acuteangle.
 20. The combination of claim 19 wherein said obtuse angle isbetween about 140 degrees and 180 degrees and said acute angle isbetween about 20 degrees and 60 degrees.
 21. The combination of claim 17including at least one lever for shifting said at least one springclutch between an engaged position and a disengaged position.
 22. Thecombination of claim 21 wherein said at least one spring clutchcomprises first and second oppositely mounted spring clutches.
 23. Thecombination of claim 15 wherein a portion of said first leg is coveredwith a high friction material and wherein a portion of said second legis covered with a low friction material.
 24. The combination of claim 15wherein said hinge is lockable to prevent the angle between said firstand second legs from increasing.
 25. The combination of claim 15 whereinsaid hinge is lockable to prevent the angle between said first andsecond legs from decreasing.
 26. The combination of claim 15 whereinsaid hinge includes a first lock for preventing the angle between saidfirst and second legs from increasing, a second lock for preventing theangle between said first and second legs from decreasing, and at leastone actuator for releasing said first or said second lock.
 27. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said boss has a T-shaped cross section.28. In combination a display and a stand for a display wherein saiddisplay comprises a housing having a boss projecting therefrom and saidstand comprises first and second hingedly connected supports and achannel in which said boss is removably and rotatably received, saidfirst and second supports being selectively lockable in at least twopositions.
 29. The combination of claim 28 wherein said channel isarcuate.
 30. The combination of claim 29 wherein said boss includes anarcuate outer surface.
 31. In combination, a digitizer having a displayscreen and a stand for supporting said digitizer on a surface, saiddigitizer including a housing having a boss and said stand comprisingfirst and second hingedly connected supports and a channel in which saidboss is removably and rotatably received, said first and second supportsbeing selectively lockable in a first position for holding saiddigitizer at a first angle with respect to a support surface and asecond position for holding said digitizer at a second angle withrespect to a support surface.
 32. The combination of claim 31 whereinsaid first angle is greater than 45 degrees and said second angle isless than 45 degrees.
 33. The combination of claim 31 wherein said firstposition comprises a display position and said second position comprisesa tablet position.
 34. A method of mounting a PED on a stand comprisingthe steps of: providing a PED including a housing having a bossprojecting therefrom; providing a stand comprising first and secondhingedly connected supports lockable in at least a first position and asecond position, said first support including a channel and first andsecond walls extending from said channel and angled toward one another;sliding said boss into said channel; and placing said first and secondsupports in either said first position or said second position.
 35. Themethod of claim 34 including the additional step of, before sliding saidboss into said channel, moving said PED boss toward said channel untilsaid boss contacts one of said first and second walls.
 36. The method ofclaim 34 including the additional step of rotating said PED from one ofa portrait orientation and a landscape orientation to the other of aportrait orientation and a landscape orientation.
 37. A PED adapted tobe supported by a user's lap or mounted in a stand in a first positionfor use as a writing tablet or in a second position for use as adisplay, said PED comprising: a housing; a display screen mounted insaid housing; and a boss projecting from a first side of said housing,said boss having a flange and being dimensioned to support the weight ofsaid PED when said PED is mounted in a stand.
 38. The PED of claim 37wherein said boss has a circular cross section.
 39. The PED of claim 37wherein said boss is mounted at a first location on said first side andwherein said first side is substantially smooth at all locations otherthan said first location.
 40. In combination a display and a supportstand for adjustably supporting said display, said display comprising: ahousing having a front and a rear; a screen mounted on said housingfront; and a boss projecting from said housing rear and including acenterline normal to said display and a generally circular cross sectionnormal to said centerline, a first end adjacent said housing and asecond end spaced from said housing and having a flange; said standcomprising: a plate member having a thickness, a bearing surfacecomprising a greater-than-180-degree arc of a circle located in saidplate member and having first and second ends and first and second wallsextending from said first and second ends, said bearing surfacereceiving said boss and removably and rotatably supporting said displayfor rotation between a portrait orientation and a landscape orientation;a first leg comprising said plate member; a second leg connected to saidfirst leg by a selectively lockable hinge including a spring clutch anda balance spring, said first leg lying generally in a first plane, saidsecond leg lying generally in a second plane, said first and second legsbeing shiftable between a first position wherein said first leg and saidsecond leg meet at an obtuse angle and a second position wherein saidfirst leg and said second leg meet at an acute angle; said first andsecond legs each including a free end spaced from said hinge; and saiddisplay and stand together having a center of gravity above and betweensaid free ends when said display is supported on said stand; and atleast one lever for shifting said spring clutch between an engagedposition and a disengaged position.
 41. In combination a display and asupport stand for adjustably supporting said display, said displaycomprising a housing having a front and a rear and a screen mounted onsaid housing front; a bearing member mounted on one of said display andsaid support; a receiver mounted on the other one of the display and thesupport, said receiver removably and rotatably receiving said bearingmember and supporting said housing.
 42. The combination of claim 41wherein said bearing member is located on said support.
 43. Thecombination of claim 42 wherein said bearing member comprises a bosshaving a T-shaped cross section.
 44. The combination of claim 43 whereinsaid receiver comprises a chamber in said housing having an inner widthgreater than an opening width.
 45. A stand for rotatably and releaseablysupporting a display comprising: a base; and support means for rotatablysupporting and releaseably securing a display on said base.
 46. Thestand of clam 45 wherein said base comprises first and second hingedlyconnected legs lockable in at least two different angular relationships.47. The stand of claim 46 wherein said support means comprises a portionof said first leg.
 48. The stand of claim 46 wherein said support meanscomprises a platform rotatably attached to said first leg.
 49. The standof claim 48 wherein said platform comprises a cradle.
 50. The stand ofclaim 47 wherein said first leg includes a projection and said cradlecomprises an opening in which said bearing is received, said projectionand opening sized such the relationship between said bearing and saidopening holds said cradle in different orientations with respect to saidfirst leg.
 51. The stand of claim 50 wherein said cradle includes atleast one peg insertable in a portion of a display.
 52. In combination adisplay and a stand for adjustably holding said display, said displaycomprising a housing having a front and a rear and a screen mounted onsaid housing front; a rotatable bearing member mounted on one of saiddisplay and said stand; and a support mounted on the other one of thedisplay and the stand and removably supporting said bearing member andsaid housing.
 53. The combination of claim 52 wherein said bearingmember is mounted on said housing rear and said support includes atleast one projection.
 54. The combination of claim 53 wherein saidbearing includes at least one opening for receiving said at least oneprojection.
 55. The combination of claim 54 wherein said at least oneopening comprises a pair of angled sidewalls meeting at vertex.
 56. Thecombination of claim 54 wherein said bearing includes positioning meansfor positioning said at least one projection with respect to saidbearing means.
 57. The combination of claim 54 wherein said at least oneprojection includes a flange.
 58. The combination of claim 57 whereinsaid at least one opening includes a flange.
 59. The combination ofclaim 52 wherein said stand includes first and second legs forsupporting said display at a plurality of different angles with respectto a support surface.